Natt N. (Natt Noyes) Dodge

Born in South Chatham, Massachusetts, on August 23, 1900, he later moved to Colorado, studied there, and earned a B.S. from Colorado State University in 1924. He served briefly in the U.S. Army during World War I and went on to build a life centered on the landscapes of the American Southwest.

Dodge spent most of his career with the National Park Service, serving in the Southwest and eventually becoming regional naturalist for the Southwest Region, a post he held until retiring in 1963. He was known not only as a naturalist, but also as a photographer and interpreter whose images and educational work supported park exhibits, pamphlets, and public programs for many years.

As a writer, he produced books and hundreds of articles on Southwestern history and conservation. His best-known works include accessible guides to desert wildflowers and other plants and animals, making him a trusted companion for readers curious about the deserts, parks, and natural life of the region.